Brief Life History of Nathaniel
When Nathaniel Woodruff was born in 1718, in Elizabethtown, Union, New Jersey, United States, his father, Timothy Woodruff Sr., was 35 and his mother, Mary Baker, was 30. He married Mary in 1738, in Elizabethtown, Union, New Jersey, United States. They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 2 daughters. He died on 19 January 1777, in Elizabeth, Union, New Jersey, United States, at the age of 59, and was buried in First Presbyterian Churchyard, Elizabeth, Union, New Jersey, United States.
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Family Time Line
Sources (1)
- Nathaniel Woodruff, "Find A Grave Index"
Spouse and Children
1718–1777 Male
1718–1770 Female
Children (4)
1749–1813 Male
1753– Female
1757– Female
1758– Male
Parents and Siblings
1683–1766 Male
1688–1776 Female
Siblings (12)
1714–1790 Male
1718–1766 Female
1718–1777 Male
1720–1801 Male
1722–1776 Male
+7 More Children
World Events (2)
1775
Age 57
1776
Age 58
Name Meaning
English: from Middle English woderove ‘woodruff, sweet woodruff’ (Old English wudurofe), a sweet-scented plant. The leaves of the plant have a sweet smell and the surname may also have been a nickname for one who used it as a perfume, or perhaps an ironical nickname for a malodorous person. Alternatively, perhaps a topographic name for someone who lived at or near a place where woodruff grew. There may have been some confusion with Woodrow .
History: Two English families brought the name Woodruff to the American colonies: those of Matthew Woodruff and of John and Ann Woodruffe. The latter migrated to Lynn, MA, from Kent, and moved to Southampton, Long Island, NY, before 1640. John and Ann's many descendants were established in NJ, NC, and SC by 1790. The city of Woodruff, SC, is named for this family. The name is variously spelled Woodrove, Woodroffe, Woodruffe, Woodrough, and Woodruff in colonial records.
Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.
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